My husband and I are planning our next trip and we were thinking of visiting Glacier NP and South Dakota. We don't want to go in July and August because it is probably too crowded. I thought September would be good but I understand that facilities start closing in mid-September and I'm also concerned about the possibilities of fires and of smoke impact on the scenery even if there are no fires right in the area. Would mid-June be a better time to go? Was there a lot of fire damage to the area this year? Thank you for any help.

We've been in Montana this year end of July-began of august.
Glacier was not so crowded, if your
goal is to hike.
Some hikes are popular(ie Avalanche lake or trail of the cedar's) but even thoseif you go early(8'30) you should avoid the crowd...
In others-Snyder lake, Quartz lakes loop, we have benn quite "alone"(3-4 other hikers..).
Grinnel Glacier or Swiftcurrent pass are relatively crowded-between 15 and 20 other hikers...
The only "problem" could be the going to the sun road, but you can combo a early start...
We were on the west part-in belton and drive early to hike avalanche lake and trail of the cedars at 8'30 and were able to be back at car at noon and so drive to Logan pass when we arrive at 1'30.
We had only 5 mn to wait to park and do the garden wall.
On the evening we were at the swiftcurent motor inn. This day was the only day with some crowds for us in GNP...(see our trip report).
For South dakota, the thing is to avoid the 2 first weeks of august(the Sturgis rallye...).
We were 2 weeks with children last year -the last 2 weeks of july and it was perfect, except the temperature...
So, if you hike, summer is not a problem in GNP, and in SD T° can be a challenge-there is also a trip report of our dakota vacation...just click on my name).
Erik.

Early September would be better. The weather is so iffy in June: snow, rain, roads closed.

Thank you so much for this information. I think we're leaning toward early September which is one of our favorite times to travel anyway.

if i had a choice i would go in late august, early sept.

june will have snow on some trails. some glacier facilities close on labor day but you should still be fine thru maybe mid sept.

weather is beautiful and the park may have some color change then. last week of august may not be too crowded and crowded is a relative term.

there are less people to begin with at glacier,for example yosemite and yellowstone would be much more crowded on any day compared to glacier (lucky folks at glacier!)

Have been to Glacier (and Yellowstone) twice (most recent 9/02), both in the Sept timeframe....after most of the tourists. Best time to go! Consider staying at Lake McDonald Lodge (West side of Glacier); it's a wonderful location...and at Glacier Park lodge on the East side (I've stayed at both) ...or Prince of Wales on the Canadian side. Forest fires are not particularly seasonal these days; but I'm not informed on recent fires.

Hello from Northwest Montana.
September WILL be less crowded due to the fact that MOST all facilities
will close right after Labor Day. Sun Road will most likely be open till the second week in Sept.
Wild fires can occur at any time, however July and August are the prime times.
There were no major fires in the park this summer but scars fromm 2003 are still visible on the north side of the lake.
All trails SHOULD be still open in September except those that have to be reached above the Loop area from the west side and above Siyeh bend area on the east side. The Sun road alpine section will likely close early September for ongoing consruction.
The new transit system which opened this year was a huge sucess but closes down the day after labor day. Nice way to view the Sun Road and not have to drive.
Happy trails

Thank you everyone for your time and information. I think that we need to reconsider this trip and maybe plan for the very end of August. It's nice to go when there aren't any crowds but not when many of the facilities are closed.

This year we were there in early August, and while there were no fires *in* the park, the smoke was fairly heavy both in Waterton and Glacier. In our case, the first day in Waterton was quite nice, but then a shift in wind direction brought enough smoke to really obstruct the scenery (and to create traffic problems on the highway south of Glacier). I suspect the fire prospects are largely a matter of taking your chances, but definitely check closing dates (including GTTS road) if you plan September. Late August might be a reasonable choice, as lots of schools start by then these days, reducing the family groups.